A Beginner's Guide to Buying Japanese Teaware

I had a conversation the other day with a new guy on TeaChat that inspired me to compile a bit of a guide to purchasing Japanese Teaware.

Short answer, buy from Japanese vendors--this is often true of their tea as well. The closer you get to the source, the better the price and sometimes quality. For example, look at prices for pots by my favorite artist, Shimizu Genji/Hokujo.

Artistic Nippon (Japan): 125 USD

Tamayura (France): 150 USD

Rishi-Tea (USA): 170 USD

For another, less dramatic example, though I hate to pick on Rishi, look at the "kikumaru."

Nishikien (Japan) 40 USD

Rishi-Tea (USA): 55 USD

However, to be fair, shipping must also be taken into consideration, and sometimes the higher cost of having your pot shipped from Japan can eat into the money you would be saving. Even so, the total cost of a Shimizu kyusu and samashi plus shipping from Rishi was 240 vs 195 from Artistic Nippon. And Zencha doesn't charge shipping on their pottery.

There are a few other concerns with purchasing directly from Japanese vendors. A language barrier, exchange rates, and poorly translated web sites, sometimes lacking a clear way to even order the item you want can be intimidating. In some cases there isn't a "shopping cart" or an easy check out; the transaction is handled with emails and international money orders. Not to mention if you don't know anyone who has had experience with a particular site, you could always be taking a risk. But, thus far my experiences have been nothing but positive, and I still think this is the way to go.

Artistic Nippon

My Favorite Place for Tokoname yaki.

As I am about to show you, I simply can not say enough good things about Artistic Nippon and its owner, Yoshikawa Toru. He spent some time going to school in Wisconsin; his English is perfect, so communication is not a problem. He provides a personal touch that I don't see often. All of my correspondence with him has been a pleasure; he has helped me with my Japanese and answered all my questions. He even sent me maps of Kyoto and museum brochures when I mentioned I was planning a trip.

Twice now I have sent him a picture of an item that I was interested in that he was able to procure for me, and I know of a few other people who have done the same. If there is something I'm looking for, Toru san is the first person I go to.

Zencha

My Favorite Place for Hagi yaki.

Every time I visit their site, I thank all merciful gods that every item I simply must have has already been sold. I live in mortal terror and nigh sexual anticipation of the day they re-stock. They have a phenomenal selection, biographies of their artists, a feature that I am particularly fond of, and free shipping.

Other well known places that I have used and can vouch for, though their selections are smaller:

Den's Tea
Hibiki-an

These vendors have extraordinary selections, but I have not yet purchased from them. I would ask around a bit or contact them before pulling out the credit card. Just to be safe.

Tea Shop

Tokoname Teapot

Nishikien

Looking for wholesale, try these guys:

Yamadera

Since I picked on them...

Rishi-Tea

They have the best selection of Tokoname I've seen from a domestic vendor. Whoever their buyer is, he has very good taste. I have purchased seven of their pots over the last two years, and all of them were excellent for the price paid. If you choose to go with a company closer to home, I highly recommend them.

The Fukugata in particular is the best tea pot for beginners, in my opinion. If only they could keep it in stock. If you get a chance, grab one; its worth it.

Seiryu Ippuku Wan

My new tea cup from Zencha, made by Yamane Seigan (click on the link for a brief interview and biography of the artist).

"Making pottery is a means to be a vacuum rather than a way to express myself."

This is my first Hagi-yaki. Hagi-yaki is a form of Japanese pottery that began just prior to the Edo period. During Hideyoshi Toyatomi's invasion of Korea in the 1590's, he ordered a Hagi daimyo, Mori Terumoto to bring back two Korean potters, Yi Sukkwang and Yi Kyung to establish kilns in Hagi. This form was also called Kourai, Korean pottery.

I think it is one the most beautiful cups I've seen. It reminds me of Starry Night. Like looking at twilight.

In case anyone's wondering how to care for Hagi-yaki:

• When using it for the very first time, rinse and let is soak in water over night to remove any dust or smells from the packing
  
• Before each use, let it sit and absorb water to prevent tea from soaking into it and causing tea stains.
  
• Do not microwave.
  
• Avoid leaving food or liquids high in acid, oil or alcohol in it for extended periods of time in it.
  
• After rinsing, dry throughly before storing. Hagi-yaki absorbs water, and improper storage may cause molding.
  
  

Update: I Googled Yamane Seigan and found another interesting link here. I love being able to attach a name and a face to my tea ware. I looked around and Yamane-san seems quite fond of the blue glaze, which they have come to call Seigan blue.